In the sixth petition, (which is, And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, (Matt. 6:13)) acknowledging, that the most wise, righteous, and gracious God, for divers holy and just ends, may so order things, that we may be assaulted, foiled, and for a time led captive by temptations; (2 Chron. 32:31) that Satan, (1 Chron. 21:1) the world, (Luke 21:34, Mark 4:19) and the flesh, are ready powerfully to draw us aside, and ensnare us; (James 1:14) and that we, even after the pardon of our sins, by reason of our corruption, (Gal. 5:17) weakness, and want of watchfulness, (Matt. 26:41) are not only subject to be tempted, and forward to expose ourselves unto temptations, (Matt. 26:69–72, Gal. 2:11–14, 2 Chron. 18:3, 2 Chron. 19:2) but also of ourselves unable and unwilling to resist them, to recover out of them, and to improve them; (Rom. 7:23–24, 1 Chron. 21:1–4, 2 Chron. 16:7–10) and worthy to be left under the power of them: (Ps. 81:11–12) we pray, that God would so over-rule the world and all in it, (John 17:15) subdue the flesh, (Ps. 51:10, Ps. 119:133) and restrain Satan, (2 Cor. 12:7–8) order all things, (1 Cor. 10:12–13) bestow and bless all means of grace, (Heb. 13:20–21) and quicken us to watchfulness in the use of them, that we and all his people may by his providence be kept from being tempted to sin; (Matt. 26:41, Ps. 19:13) or, if tempted, the hour of temptation; (Eph. 3:14–17, 1 Thess. 3:13, Jude 24) or when fallen, raised again and recovered out of it, (Ps. 51:12) and have a sanctified use and improvement thereof: (1 Pet. 5:8–10) that our sanctification and salvation may be perfected, (2 Cor. 13:7,9) Satan trodden under our feet, ... |
